How Martha Stewart keeps fit in her 80s – as she becomes Sports Illustrated’s oldest cover star 

The author of many cookbooks and publisher of Martha Stewart Living magazine (which ran from its launch in 1990 to May 2022, when it closed), Stewart has also hosted two successful TV shows in the US.

Stewart has always focused on encouraging people to make the best of their surroundings, embrace opportunity and enhance their wellbeing. But how does she incorporate these values into her own daily life?  

We’ve got all the details on how Stewart stays fit and well – both physically and mentally – including the workouts she enjoys and the healthy meals she swears by.

Stewart is a big lover of the outdoors and spends a lot of time caring for her animals. She also loves to garden and grows a lot of her own food. Writing on her website in 2021, she explained that the benefit of outdoor exercise was instilled in her from a young age: “My parents taught me and my siblings positive habits early on, encouraging daily exercise (we walked and rode our bikes, instead of being driven).  

“I passed these practices on to my daughter, who now does the same with my grandchildren.” 

She added: “To feel my best, no matter how busy I am, I exercise each morning.” 

At Exceptional, we’re big fans of daily movement, whether that’s walking, cardio exercise, yoga, running or other forms of exercise. 

Stewart is fortunate enough to have her own gym at home, which has a Peloton bike for cardio, as well as hand weights, exercise balls and machines for strength training. Staying strong and maintaining muscle mass is crucial as we age. Not only does it protect us against many diseases and health conditions, it also keeps us looking younger. 

Stewart is a big fan of riding her horses: “I ride my horses weekly, even in cold weather. It’s terrific exercise and being outside is good for the spirit,” she says.

Exceptional’s Fitness, Passions & Getting Active editor, Phillipa Cherryson, agrees: “For me, nothing beats being outdoors and in nature at any time of the year – whether it’s hiking in the hills or taking my Arab gelding, Gus, for a canter through the woods.” 

Speaking on the Today show in the US, Stewart revealed she attended Pilates sessions to prepare for the Sports Illustrated shoot: “I went to Pilates every other day and that was great; I’m still going to Pilates every other day ‘cause it’s so great.” 

She added: “I live a clean life anyway — good diet and good exercise and healthy skincare and all of that stuff.” 

Speaking to Exceptional, Pilates expert Rachel Lawrence explained that Pilates is a great way of getting stronger as well as improving flexibility: “Pilates is a superb way to stay fit, flexible and strong as you age. What a lot of people don’t realise is how strong you can get.  

“It strengthens both the small and large muscle groups and especially the muscles of the spine and core, which improves posture and muscle tone. The health benefits are a mobile, flexible and strong body. As we age, it’s vital to use all our muscles and not shy away from these challenges. As the saying goes, ‘Use it or lose it!’” 

“For me, doing the things that bring me happiness is most important for my long-term, overall wellness,” Stewart says. This includes gardening – a huge passion for her, and something that can be incredibly therapeutic. Not only that, but it can be a great form of exercise – you can get fit with just 30 minutes of gardening.  

Although Stewart has admitted she doesn’t always feel like exercising, she attests to always feeling better afterwards, and says her gym is the place where she can “get my mind right for the day ahead”. She is also a fan of brain-boosting puzzles to keep the grey matter sharp – check out our own puzzle page here if you’d like to give some a go.  

Whatever your choice of exercise, doing something you enjoy will naturally boost your mood, increase confidence, and give you more energy. Being outdoors releases endorphins – giving a feel-good boost to your wellbeing.  

“Being outside, whatever the weather, is a boost for my mental health,” Cherryson says. “I didn’t look as good in a swimsuit as Martha Stewart, even when I was in my twenties, and I certainly won’t when I reach my eighties, but she’s such an inspiration.

“What matters most is staying active, happy and feeling good about yourself – and that is what she embodies.” 

A renowned cook, Stewart loves a nice dinner with friends, but her daily diet is relatively simple. She starts each day with a green juice she makes herself, which includes parsley, cucumber, mint, half an orange (including the skin), ginger, and whatever fruit she has growing. She also loves a cappuccino.  

Lunch is something light, such as a tuna salad or an omelette, and dinner is when she cooks for a group, enjoying crowd-pleasing food such as roast chicken.  

Despite her love of cooking, Stewart has admitted her fridge stays relatively bare, though eggs and good quality butter are a must. With all that home-grown produce, though, she’s never short of healthy options.

The theme of this year’s Sportswear Illustrated swimwear issue is celebrating powerful women who “live in a world where they feel no limitations, internally or externally”. Stewart embodies that.  

Talking about the shoot, she admitted it’s something new to her. “That was kind of a request that I’ve never had before,” Stewart recalled on the Today Show. “To be on the cover at my age was a challenge. And I think I met the challenge.”